Guide Service
Fish on Lake Michigan's most Pristine ShorelinesExploring The UP
Michigan is home to 9.9 million people but the Upper peninsula of Michigan is home to a mere 300,000 friendly folks. That’s right, only 3 percent of Michigans population has An area larger than Belgium or Switzerland. It’s over 85 percent forested, containing 4,600 inland lakes, 12,000 miles of streams, 200 waterfalls, and best of all 1,700 miles of beautiful Great Lakes shoreline.
Top Fishing Destinations
We are nestled in the far northwest corner of Lake Michigan on the Legendary Bays De Noc.
This area of the Great Lakes has long been famous to gear anglers for its monster Walleye and sumo size King salmon. These fish get the bulk of the fishing pressure. This leaves Delta counties 211 miles of crystal clear flats to the fly anglers. It’s a marvelous thing! Theres no fighting crowds around here.
It has been said there is nothing small about Little Bay De Noc and that is true. It covers an area of over 30,000 acres. Many moons ago The Great Lakes pirate roaring Dan Sievey’s home port was on this bay. But that’s another story for another time. There is a ton of forage in this bay which makes for a very diverse fishery and the pressure from fly fisherman is basically non existent.
Big Bay De noc is much more remote than Little Bay De Noc and much Larger! There are only two towns on this bay with populations under 1000. There are many miles of beautiful undeveloped shoreline, Islands, shoals and FISH! The pressure here even from a gear angler’s standpoint is minimal. This bay is known to produce some large specimen!
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A Look Inside Our Fishing Trips
Spring and summer- Carp, Smallmouth, and Pike
Late summer and Fall- Northern Pike, and Smallmouth Bass
Carp- Peak times Mid may through July. These are the toughest of fish to catch on the fly. Extreme stealth, Long accurate casts, and lots of patience are required! Most say these Golden Ghosts are not for the novice but during late may and early June you can expect many targets per trip. This provides great opportunity to learn and really ups the odds of hooking a fish for the newcomer. You will be hooked after one of these powerful fish takes you well into your backing.
Smallmouth and Northern Pike are around in the shallows heavy in May and June. These fish you can also site fish for just like the carp but it is far easier fishing. These guys will crash into flies with reckless abandon. As water temperatures warm up in mid summer these fish head for deeper water. late summer these fish will return for some spectacular fishing as the water temps start to drop. Smallmouth over 3lbs are common. Northern Pike generally range from 20″-32″ but much larger specimen are caught every year.
Full day trips include- Snacks, Drinks, and Lunch. Rods, Flies, and other tackle are also provided. You must bring POLARIZED sun glasses, Waders or wading socks, sun screen etc. Think saltwater fishing trip. Polarized glasses are a must when hunting down these fish, there is no escaping the sun on the flats so protective gear is highly recommended, also it never hurts to wear some drab clothing as stalking these fish is like stalking a wild animal and bright colors get you spotted quicker!
Additional UP Resources
Campgrounds
https://www.michigan.org/property/little-bay-de-noc-campground
https://www.michiganmiles.com/fayette-historic-state-park/fayette-campground/
Other Attractions
https://www.nps.gov/piro/planyourvisit/index.htm
www.visitmanistique.com/bigspring.shtml
http://www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/details.aspx?id=417&type=SPRK
Restaurants
https://www.freshwatertavern.com/
https://www.facebook.com/JacksRapidRiver/
https://www.michigan.org/property/dock-grill-bar
Get 20% Off Your First Trip
We would like to offer 20% off to new clients on their first Full day trip with Bayfly guide service.
Our Guides
Captain Andrew Gunden is chock full of Great Lakes tales and history. He’s lived and fished in Michigan all his life. He loves people and sharing his love of fishing with others.
What are you waiting for?
